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Cuisine
Asian
American
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Deli - Grill - Pub
Greek
Hispanic
Italian
Seafood
Steak

Spanish

F - Food
S - Service
A - Atmosphere

Average Meal
$- under $12
$$- $13 -$18
$$$- $19 and up

Ratings
1. Forget It
2. Not Too Bad
3. You're Going To Like It
4. You're Going to Love It
5. World Class

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Visitor's Comments

 

 

 

 

Visitors Comments

   

Tilted Table
We visited VB and, based on your and other reviews, chose to eat at Tilted Table.  The wine list was very good, the tempura-battered calamari perhaps the best I've ever had.  The salads very refreshing and edgy, while the she-crab soup was earthy and full.  For entrees, we had Chicken Saltimboca - lush and perfect, Pork Tenderloin - good but a little dry, and the Sea Food Medley - awesome.  The scallops were like biting into a pat of sun-softened butter.  All 4 for less than $200!  Service by Denise was attentive but not hovering and catered to our slow gustatorial style.  We will return.
New Bern, NC Feb. 08

eat, an American bistro
I am interested in getting a listing in your restaurant guide. I my be contacted @ 9652472 or via email. Thank you.
Erick and Christy Heilig, eat-an american bistro Nov. 07

Editor's note: We never tell when or if we are going to visit a restaurant. And we never announce ourselves before, during or after the visit. We hope to get the same dining experience that our web visitors would receive. Having said that, be careful what you ask for. See the EAT review in on the American page.

About 15 years ago we ate (and drank) at a restaurant with a bayou swamp theme, spanish moss, drinks in mason jars etc.  It may have been called pongos, or some variation on that. As I recall, it was not to far from downtown, perhaps south of Oceana NAS. It was a great deal of fun, and we want to go back, but can't find it in any listings or reviews.  I may have the name wrong.  Any ideas?
john scott, abingdon, md  Sep. 07

Editor's note: you might be thinking of Hurd's Restaurant which to the best of our knowledge is no longer in existence, although there is still a Hurd's Road in the area you mentioned.  I remember going there years ago, but I don't believe it is still in business.  Blue Pete's also serves drinks in a Mason Jar. It is also located in the area you mentioned at 1400 N. Muddy Creek Road. 757-426-2005. Maybe other locals can chime in on this.

Catch 31
Thank you for your guide on the restaurants at Virginia Beach!  My wife and I went to Catch 31 based upon your reviews.  Despite there being a wedding taking place when we walked in, the service was impeccable, the food delicious and the great atmosphere (we sat on the patio near the bar) made the evening.  We got there a bit before 5p and even though they were still technically serving lunch, we were given the dinner menu as requested. I would give it all 5's!
-Jenn and Nicole Novesky Sep. 07

Tilted Table
I was reviewing your restaurant guide when I noticed that Redmill Commons was not on the list. Myself and business partner own Tilted Table and would like to be on the guide. Please let me know how I can do this. You can access my website at Tiltedtablevb.com.
Thanks!!!
-Annette Roth & Denise Adams Sep. 07

Tradewinds
You should consider updating a review of the Tradewinds.  Not only has the decor in restaurant been softened since your last review (June 2004) it now features a more casual style of outdoor deck dining under an outdoor awning overlooking the Bay.  The deck features a casual fare menu.On top of this, management has changed and service seems to be quite impressive these days.  Executive Chef John Maclure still produces magnificent meals .  The Tradewinds award winning Sunday Brunch is "Best of the Beach" year in and year out.  Tradewinds is now featuring an Asian Night Buffet each Friday night with fresh Sushi rolls and other enticing Asian fare prepared in front of your eyes. Give Tradewinds another look; chances are you may have a better opinion.
-Harvey Shiflet  Sep. 07

Editor’s note: Dr. Shiflet owns the hotel, or at least a good portion of it. We plan to re-review it Winter 2007.

Catch 31
Thank you for your guide on the restaurants at Virginia Beach!  My wife and I went to Catch 31 based upon your reviews.  Despite there being a wedding taking place when we walked in, the service was impeccable, the food delicious and the great atmosphere (we sat on the patio near the bar) made the evening.  We got there a bit before 5p and even though they were still technically serving lunch, we were given the dinner menu as requested. I would give it all 5's!

-Jenn and Nicole Novesky

Rudee's
Today my 5 month pregnant wife and our neighbor and her 9 year old daughter went to Rudee’s for dinner.  They arrived at 6:30, had their order taken by 6:50 and didn’t get their food until 7:45.  The waitress was nonexistent and when she did stop by she wasn’t very useful.  The food was good however service was horrible.  It took 15 minutes just to get the check.  They did not valet park their vehicle and the valet’s blocked them in.  It took another 20  for them to move the vehicle.  We are not tourists in Virginia Beach, we live here but obviously some places have forgotten that locals do come down to the ocean front.  We will not be going to Rudee’s again and I’ll make sure to let other locals know. 
- Michael Marsicano

You should consider updating your site or take it down. My family and I spent a lot of time chasing down restaurants that no longer exist! Both 40th Street Bistro and Orion's are out-of-business. I would consider taking down your site until you can update it. It will save people a lot of headache. At the very least, put some dates on the reviews. It would otherwise be a great site if the information was current.
-Andrew Krause Jun. 07

Editor's Note: Thanks very much for your note. You are right. Many of the restaurants change hands, names, etc. almost yearly and sometimes we don't catch the changes. Orion's, when you were here was called the Sand Dollar...same place, same kitchen etc, just new name. However the name has now been changed back to Orion's.  40th Street Bistro has become the Pacifica which we did review but neglected to take 40h Street out. Pacifica is a tapas restaurant and is listed under Spanish. Thanks again. We will attempt to be more diligent.

Can I contribute restaurant assessment on a regular basis?  Spend about three days every week in VAB and enjoy trying new restaurant.  Love to cook and enjoy eating great food.   Noticed some of our favorite restaurants weren't even included on your list.
walt Sobczyk

Editor's note: Love to have your help Walt, but the same group of people have to rate all the restaurants or the rating system will not be even. However thanks for the offer. If you would like to send money to defer our cost of eating out, it would be greatly appreciated. Just kidding.

Fly'N Fishbone
We went to a soul food restaurant, Fly’N Fishbone, at 4316 Virginia Beach Boulevard, 757-226-7477.  The food was great, very reasonable (under $14 for a full dinner with dessert), and it was real home cooking.  The ribs, barbecued chicken, ribs, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and the desserts, like Boston Cream Cake and Red Velvet Cake, were out of this world.  The place is very clean and welcoming.  It blows all the chains away!  We had two dinners there.
-  Suzanne Leichtling,   Cape Canaveral, FL  Jun. 07

Cobalt Grill
I enjoyed reading all of the reviews that you have made available to the public.  One restaurant that I was surprised to not see in the reviews was the Cobalt Grill on Laskin road (Hilltop North).  As a local and a former chef in the area, I enjoy dining there from time to time when I am looking for a change of atmosphere and food styles.  I have found the restaurant to be consistently excellent in both its food quality and service.  The assorted Crème Brule dish on the dessert menu is always great.  If you haven’t visited this restaurant, I encourage you to give it a try.  Thanks 
- samuel loftheim May 07

Editor's note: Visited this restaurant for lunch shortly after they opened. Found it to be very pricy. May visit again for dinner, but it is a bit out of the resort area and is definitely not a destination restaurant.

Bahir Dar
Hi, I just found your website and wondered if you could help me track down a good Ethiopian Restaurant in the Hampton Roads area.  I fell in love with the cuisine in San Diego and Memphis, but haven't been able to find a place here.  If you could point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it. 
Sincerely,
- Amanda, 

There is one in Hampton, Virginia, which is on west (north) side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.  Bahir Dar, 17 East Queens Way, 723-0100. With light traffic you can drive it in about an hour from the Oceanfront.

Coastal Grill
Last night, we had a marvelous meal at Coastal Grill.  I asked for my leftovers to go, as it was a sizeable amount of delicious oysters, slaw and potatoes. Much to my disappointment, when I opened my container today to eat my leftovers for lunch, they were not there!!  I had a chicken bone and an acorn squash that my son had left. I know this was an honest mistake, but when I called the restaurant to let them know, the response was "Jerry said too bad, we can't be responsible......." We spent $143 on dinner and left a $30 tip.  They could humor me and offer us a complementary drink or a dessert on my next visit.  I am not valued as a customer, and will not go back no matter how good the food is.
- Toni

Beach Pub
My husband & I had lunch today at Beach Pub. We went after old friend raved over the "lunch specials" they serve. We had flounder with fries, cole slaw, hushpuppies...also "side" of black beans& rice. The meal was awesome and black beans& rice were the best ever! It was fun ,friendly staff and packed!!! GO early(11 am or shortly after) This is truly a diamond in the rough! We can't wait to go again :)
- Zebo & Diva Decy
 PS//// If you have room (or not) YOU must try bread pudding also.....

Captain John's Crab House
My family had the worse experience ever (out of all places we have been).  My ratings are as follows: F-1; S-1; A-1
-Disappointed Local

My husband and I had dinner at Capt. John’s Crab House on Atlantic Ave. on our first night in Virginia Beach. We went there based on both the ads in the tourist brochures and the rating of this site. BIG MISTAKE!  We paid about $18.00 per person for the all you can eat buffet, plus additional charge for beverages. The overall restaurant seemed dirty. The seafood buffet was horrible. The food was absolutely inedible. My husband opened two crabs and both were black inside. Even the macaroni and cheese was horrid. I’d give the restaurant a “1” for food, service, and atmosphere. The only reason I’d give it a “1” in all three areas is that there isn’t a lower rating number to give it. Tourists…take my advice:  Ignore the ads, stay away from this restaurant. It is horrible!  An aside to the editors…please check this restaurant again. No way does it deserve the ratings you gave it.
- Ms. G.  Jun 07

Editor's note: We have never rated this facility because of the negative feedback we have received from diners. We really don't want to spend our money either on a bad dining experience.

VB Restaurant Guide Editor: Do you have a phone number I may call you? I have some updates the listing you have posted. Thanks.
-Laura Wood Habr, Owner Crock's

Editor's Note: Sorry we don't work that way. You get what we feel is fair to other folks who will visit your restaurant. We realize that you change your menu's often and applaud it for it. But we haven't got the time or money to visit you every 3 moths. We are just 2 couples who have a limited budget. You got a good rating. Give it a rest.

Croakers Restaurant
A birthday ruined by this restaurant: Reservations made, table requested, and when we get there, the rudest "hostess" in the city. When we asked for the table that we requested when making our reservation, we were told that the table in the bar area is it, "take it or leave it". Well, we left it- the restaurant too. We do not need to spend our money at a place with such contempt for its patrons that they are forced to put up with this type of behavior. Her walking away from us as we were trying to figure the table snafu out was the icing on the cake. The food? Who knows- or cares? If you can't be met at the door by a decent human being, the food doesn't matter. Obviously this restaurant neither needs nor wants new customers!
-Jeanne W.

Re: the comment on Croakers....the last two times I went there with friends, the staff vacuumed around us while we were still eating.  It was only 9:30 PM.  The food was good, but the staff should learn some manners.
- Toni

I noticed that you don't have any Town Center restaurants listed on your website.  You don't even have a Town Center link under the "Locations" heading.  This is a growing area of Virginia Beach and has become a destination spot for local dinners & tourists as well.  There are at least 14 restaurants directly in the Town Center and many more in the surrounding area.  To be a complete Virginia Beach Restaurant guide, it may benefit you to contact these establishments.  I was not able to register my store through your website, so I'm wondering how this process works.  Please email me or call me at the restaurant with any questions or with information regarding the preceding information.
Thank You,
Bret Bartlett, General Manager, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

Hello!
 My name is Anna Moen and I am the sales and marketing manager for Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group, Inc. located in Town Center in Virginia Beach. I was wondering if you have had a chance to come check our establishment out as of yet. I would love to see us in your dining guide. We have a wonderful casual atmosphere with a sophisticated feel. Our beer is fresh and brewed on site, and our food is outstanding!! If you have not come out to see us yet, please give me a call and I will make a reservation for you to come give us a try!!! Thank you for your time!!
Sincerely,
Anna K. Moen, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group, Inc.

Editor's note: We don't review chains. We feel folks can eat at them at home. Plus visitors to the waterfront areas are not going to go to Town Center for dinner since there are so many great restaurants near the water unless there is a "destination" restaurant that is unique, Virginia Beach. Steinhilbers comes to mind, and although we have eaten there dozens of time, we haven't gotten around to rating it.

Here's the way our review works. We save up our money until we can eat out and chose a restaurant that we think folks are going to enjoy. If we enjoy it, we tell you so. If not, we suggest that people not waste their money. It's not scientific, but when folks are going to spend $50 to $100 dollars on a meal, we like to help them get a fair value.